Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for operating a multi-access edge computing (MEC) system in which tenant applications are provided by MEC tenants for deployment on MEC hosts of the MEC system, the method comprising: receiving, from each of a plurality of MEC tenants, an application package, the application package including application software be installed at one or more of the MEC hosts of the MEC system, the application software corresponding to a tenant application of the tenant applications; assigning, to each of the plurality of MEC tenants from which an application package is received, a set of at least one application management privilege; receiving application operation requests issued by MEC tenants, wherein the application operation requests specify operations to be performed for the tenant applications at one or more of the MEC hosts; pre-validating, using the sets of at least one application management privilege assigned to the plurality of MEC tenants, the application operation requests so as to detect conflicts on the MEC hosts; and performing tenant application life-cycle management operations in response to the application operation requests, wherein the tenant application life-cycle management operations include one or more of the group consisting of: bootstrapping, termination, migration, and scaling, wherein bootstrapping involves starting a virtual machine (VM) or software container to run an instance of a tenant application, wherein termination involves terminating a VM or software container running an instance of a tenant application, wherein migration involves moving, from one MEC host to another MEC host, one or more VMs or software containers running an instance of a tenant application, and wherein scaling involves increasing or decreasing a quantity of resources assigned to a VM or software container that contains an instance of a tenant application or replicating a VM or software container that contains an instance of a tenant application.
Multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems enable tenant applications to be deployed on distributed MEC hosts, but managing these applications across multiple tenants while ensuring system stability and security presents challenges. This invention addresses these issues by providing a method for operating a MEC system that includes receiving application packages from multiple tenants, each containing software to be installed on MEC hosts. Each tenant is assigned a set of application management privileges, which define their authorized operations. The system then receives application operation requests from tenants, such as bootstrapping, termination, migration, or scaling of tenant applications. Before executing these requests, the system pre-validates them using the assigned privileges to detect and resolve conflicts between tenants. The method ensures that tenant applications are managed efficiently while maintaining system integrity. Bootstrapping involves starting a virtual machine (VM) or container to run an application instance, termination involves stopping such instances, migration moves VMs or containers between hosts, and scaling adjusts resource allocation or replicates instances. This approach enhances MEC system reliability and security by enforcing privilege-based validation before performing lifecycle operations.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising resolving the detected conflicts according to priorities derived from the sets of at least one application management privilege assigned to the plurality of MEC tenants.
This invention relates to conflict resolution in multi-access edge computing (MEC) environments, specifically addressing conflicts arising from application management privileges assigned to multiple MEC tenants. In MEC systems, multiple tenants share resources, and conflicts can occur when different tenants attempt to manage the same application or resource simultaneously. The invention provides a method to resolve such conflicts by prioritizing tenant actions based on predefined application management privileges. The method involves detecting conflicts between tenant requests, then resolving them by applying priority rules derived from the assigned privileges. These privileges determine which tenant's request takes precedence when conflicts arise, ensuring orderly and fair resource allocation. The system dynamically evaluates tenant privileges to resolve conflicts in real-time, preventing disruptions and maintaining system stability. This approach enhances multi-tenancy support in MEC by ensuring that higher-priority tenants or applications are given precedence while lower-priority requests are deferred or adjusted accordingly. The method integrates with existing MEC infrastructure, allowing seamless conflict resolution without requiring significant architectural changes. By leveraging privilege-based prioritization, the invention ensures efficient and conflict-free operation in shared MEC environments.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising generating an alarm in response to a conflict being detected, wherein the alarm prevents lower priority MEC tenants from executing commands associated with the detected conflict.
This invention relates to resource management in multi-access edge computing (MEC) environments and addresses the problem of resource contention and potential conflicts between different tenants operating on the same edge infrastructure. The system involves a method for managing resource allocation and command execution for multiple MEC tenants. A key aspect is the detection of conflicts that arise when different tenants attempt to utilize or command resources in a way that would lead to interference or undesirable outcomes. Upon detecting such a conflict, the method includes generating an alarm. This alarm serves a critical function: it actively prevents lower priority MEC tenants from executing commands that are directly related to the detected conflict. This ensures that higher priority operations or resource allocations are not disrupted by lower priority ones, thereby maintaining system stability and performance. The alarm mechanism acts as a real-time control to enforce priority-based resource access and command execution, preventing cascading failures or performance degradation caused by conflicting demands from different tenants.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein migration involves moving one or more VMs or software containers running an instance of a respective tenant application from an overloaded MEC host to a non-overloaded MEC host.
This invention relates to load balancing in Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) environments, specifically addressing the problem of efficiently redistributing virtualized workloads to prevent performance degradation due to host overloading. In MEC systems, multiple tenants share computing resources, and uneven workload distribution can lead to bottlenecks where some hosts become overloaded while others remain underutilized. The invention describes a method for dynamically migrating virtual machines (VMs) or software containers hosting tenant applications from overloaded MEC hosts to non-overloaded ones. The migration process ensures minimal disruption to ongoing operations by selectively relocating only the necessary workloads, thereby optimizing resource utilization and maintaining service quality. The solution leverages real-time monitoring to identify overloaded hosts and determines the most suitable target hosts based on current resource availability. This approach improves system efficiency, reduces latency, and enhances overall reliability in edge computing environments. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where low-latency and high-availability are critical, such as in telecommunications, IoT, and real-time data processing applications.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein migration is performed based on a respective set of at least one application management privilege assigned to a respective MEC tenant that provided the respective tenant application.
This invention relates to mobile edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically addressing the challenge of securely managing and migrating tenant applications within a MEC environment. The technology provides a method for migrating tenant applications between MEC hosts while enforcing application management privileges assigned to each MEC tenant. Each tenant is granted a specific set of privileges that determine their ability to manage and migrate their applications. During migration, the system ensures that only authorized operations are performed based on these privileges, preventing unauthorized access or modifications. The method involves verifying the tenant's privileges before executing the migration, ensuring compliance with security policies. This approach enhances security and operational control in MEC environments by restricting application management actions to only those tenants with the appropriate permissions. The solution is particularly useful in multi-tenant MEC deployments where multiple tenants share infrastructure while maintaining isolated and secure application management. The invention ensures that tenant applications are migrated efficiently and securely, adhering to predefined privilege constraints. This method improves the reliability and trustworthiness of MEC systems by enforcing strict access controls during application migration.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein migration is performed by an MEC broker to reduce a number of conflicts by resources on the MEC hosts.
This invention relates to mobile edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically addressing the challenge of resource conflicts during service migration between MEC hosts. In MEC environments, services are often relocated to optimize performance, but this can lead to contention for limited resources such as compute, storage, or network bandwidth. The invention describes a method where an MEC broker manages the migration process to minimize such conflicts. The broker evaluates resource availability across potential target hosts and selects an optimal destination to reduce contention. This involves analyzing current resource usage, predicting future demands, and coordinating migrations to avoid overlapping resource requests. The broker may also prioritize migrations based on service criticality or latency requirements. By proactively managing migrations, the system ensures efficient resource utilization and maintains service performance. The method is particularly useful in dynamic MEC deployments where services frequently move between edge nodes to adapt to changing network conditions or user demands. The solution enhances scalability and reliability in edge computing environments by preventing resource bottlenecks during service transitions.
7. The method according to claim 1 , the method further comprising performing application provisioning, wherein the application provisioning includes assigning an MEC host to a first tenant application provided by a first MEC tenant of the plurality of MEC tenants such that the MEC host runs an instance of the first tenant application according to a set of service parameters.
This invention relates to multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently managing and deploying tenant applications in a shared MEC environment. The method involves dynamically assigning MEC hosts to tenant applications based on service parameters to optimize resource utilization and performance. The process includes selecting an MEC host for a first tenant application provided by a first MEC tenant, ensuring the host runs an instance of the application according to predefined service parameters. These parameters may include quality of service (QoS) requirements, latency constraints, or computational resources. The method ensures that the MEC host is appropriately configured to meet the application's operational needs while maintaining isolation and security between different tenant applications. This approach enhances scalability and flexibility in MEC deployments, allowing multiple tenants to share infrastructure without compromising performance. The solution is particularly useful in scenarios requiring low-latency processing, such as real-time analytics, autonomous vehicles, or augmented reality applications. By dynamically provisioning applications based on service parameters, the system ensures efficient resource allocation and consistent service delivery across diverse tenant workloads.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein an MEC broker performs the application provisioning so as to minimize MEC resource usage.
This invention relates to mobile edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically optimizing resource usage during application provisioning. MEC systems deploy applications closer to end-users to reduce latency and improve performance, but resource allocation can be inefficient, leading to wasted computing power or degraded service quality. The invention addresses this by introducing an MEC broker that intelligently manages application provisioning to minimize resource consumption. The broker evaluates available MEC resources, such as computing capacity, storage, and network bandwidth, and dynamically allocates them based on application requirements and current system load. This ensures optimal utilization of MEC infrastructure while maintaining service performance. The broker may also prioritize applications based on their criticality or user demand, further refining resource allocation. By centralizing provisioning decisions, the system avoids over-provisioning or underutilization, reducing operational costs and improving scalability. The solution is particularly useful in environments with limited MEC resources or fluctuating workloads, such as smart cities, industrial IoT, or 5G networks. The broker's decision-making process may incorporate machine learning or predictive analytics to anticipate resource needs and adjust provisioning strategies proactively. Overall, the invention enhances MEC efficiency by dynamically aligning application deployment with available resources.
9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the set of service parameters includes a maximum delay budget for a provisioned application and a maximum delay budget for an MEC host at which the application is to be provisioned.
This invention relates to mobile edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically optimizing application provisioning to meet performance requirements. The problem addressed is ensuring low-latency service delivery by dynamically allocating applications to MEC hosts based on delay constraints. The method involves provisioning an application to a MEC host while enforcing a maximum delay budget for the application itself and an additional maximum delay budget for the host. This ensures that the combined latency from the host and the application meets service-level requirements. The approach includes monitoring network conditions, evaluating host capabilities, and selecting an optimal host that satisfies both delay budgets. If no suitable host is found, the application may be provisioned with relaxed constraints or alternative configurations. The solution improves real-time application performance by dynamically adapting to network and host conditions while maintaining strict latency guarantees. This is particularly useful for latency-sensitive applications like autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, and industrial automation.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of MEC tenants are split into 3 categories: a Basic category in which MEC tenants are granted a set of at least one application management privilege that includes the privilege to specify a first delay requirement but no management privileges; a Premium category in which the MEC tenants are granted a set of at least one application management privilege that includes the privilege to specify a second delay requirement but no management privileges, wherein the second delay requirement is less than the first delay requirement; and a Gold category in which the MEC tenants are granted a set of at least one application management privilege that includes the privilege to specify a third delay requirement and are also granted management privileges.
In the domain of multi-access edge computing (MEC), this invention addresses the challenge of efficiently managing different service-level requirements for multiple tenants while ensuring optimal resource allocation. The solution categorizes MEC tenants into three distinct tiers—Basic, Premium, and Gold—each with varying levels of application management privileges and delay requirements. Basic-tier tenants are granted limited privileges, allowing them to specify a first delay requirement but no management privileges. Premium-tier tenants receive a higher priority with the ability to specify a stricter second delay requirement, which is lower than the first, but still lack management privileges. Gold-tier tenants are granted the highest level of access, including the ability to specify an even stricter third delay requirement and full management privileges, enabling them to control application deployment and resource allocation. This tiered approach ensures that tenants with higher service demands receive preferential treatment while maintaining efficient resource utilization. The system dynamically adjusts to the specified delay requirements, optimizing performance for each category without compromising overall network efficiency. The invention enhances flexibility and scalability in MEC environments by aligning tenant privileges with their specific needs, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary resources while lower-priority services operate within defined constraints.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising recording commands issued by the plurality of MEC tenants to track privileges acquired by each MEC tenant.
A system and method for managing multi-access edge computing (MEC) environments involves tracking and controlling tenant access to edge computing resources. The technology addresses challenges in securing and monitoring MEC deployments where multiple tenants share infrastructure. The method includes authenticating tenants, assigning privileges based on predefined policies, and enforcing access controls to ensure secure resource utilization. Additionally, the system records all commands issued by tenants to maintain an audit trail of privileges acquired by each tenant. This tracking mechanism enables administrators to monitor tenant activities, detect unauthorized access, and enforce compliance with security policies. The solution enhances transparency and accountability in MEC environments by providing detailed logs of tenant interactions with edge resources. The recorded commands can be analyzed to identify patterns, optimize resource allocation, and improve security measures. This approach ensures that tenant privileges are properly managed and audited, reducing risks associated with shared infrastructure in edge computing deployments.
12. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing a list of available privileges to the plurality of MEC tenants, wherein each privilege in the list of privileges is associated with a corresponding tag, wherein a tag indicates a time validity of the privilege and a priority of a command issued by a respective MEC tenant compared to priorities of commands issued by other respective MEC tenants.
This invention relates to multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically addressing the management of tenant privileges and command prioritization in shared edge computing environments. The problem solved is the need for efficient and dynamic allocation of computational resources among multiple tenants while ensuring fair and prioritized access based on time-sensitive requirements. The method involves providing a list of available privileges to multiple MEC tenants, where each privilege is associated with a tag. The tag includes two key pieces of information: the time validity of the privilege and the priority of commands issued by the tenant compared to other tenants. Time validity ensures that privileges are only active during specified periods, preventing misuse or overuse. Priority tags enable the system to prioritize commands from different tenants, ensuring critical tasks are processed first while maintaining fairness. This approach allows MEC systems to dynamically adjust resource allocation based on real-time demands, improving efficiency and responsiveness. By associating privileges with time constraints and priority levels, the system ensures that tenants operate within defined boundaries while optimizing overall performance. The method enhances fairness and prevents resource contention in shared edge computing environments.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein migration is performed by an MEC host to reduce a number of conflicts.
A method for optimizing network resource allocation in a multi-access edge computing (MEC) environment addresses the problem of resource conflicts when multiple applications or services compete for limited edge computing resources. The method involves dynamically migrating workloads between MEC hosts to minimize conflicts and improve efficiency. The migration process is managed by an MEC host, which assesses resource usage, identifies potential conflicts, and relocates workloads to alternative hosts with available capacity. This reduces contention for processing power, memory, and network bandwidth, ensuring smoother operation of latency-sensitive applications. The method may also include prioritizing workloads based on their criticality or latency requirements, further optimizing resource distribution. By proactively managing migrations, the system enhances overall performance and reliability in edge computing deployments.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the conflicts are detected by an MEC broker.
A system and method for managing conflicts in a multi-access edge computing (MEC) environment involves detecting and resolving conflicts between applications or services running on edge computing nodes. The MEC broker monitors interactions between applications to identify conflicts, such as resource contention, policy violations, or service disruptions. When a conflict is detected, the broker applies predefined resolution strategies, which may include prioritizing certain applications, reallocating resources, or enforcing policy adjustments. The system ensures efficient resource utilization and maintains service reliability by dynamically addressing conflicts in real-time. The MEC broker may also log conflict events for analysis and future optimization. This approach enhances the stability and performance of edge computing deployments by proactively managing conflicts between coexisting applications.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: initiating, by an MEC broker via interactions with one or more of an MEC Orchestrator, an MEC platform manager, and a user app lifecycle management (LCM) proxy, operations including one or more selected from the group consisting of: application package on-boarding, application instance installation on selected MEC hosts, and application provisioning, through configuration of appropriate parameters.
This invention relates to multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently managing and deploying applications in edge computing environments. The method involves an MEC broker that coordinates with an MEC Orchestrator, an MEC platform manager, and a user application lifecycle management (LCM) proxy to perform key operations. These operations include on-boarding application packages, installing application instances on selected MEC hosts, and provisioning applications by configuring necessary parameters. The MEC broker acts as an intermediary, facilitating seamless interactions between these components to ensure applications are properly deployed and managed at the edge. This approach optimizes resource utilization, reduces latency, and enhances the scalability of edge computing services by automating application lifecycle processes. The system ensures that applications are correctly installed and configured on the appropriate edge hosts, improving overall performance and reliability in distributed computing environments.
16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the assigning, to each of the plurality of MEC tenants from which a respective application package is received, a set of at least one application management privilege includes assigning, to each respective MEC tenant of at least a subset of the plurality of MEC tenants from which an application package is received, administrative privileges that allow the respective MEC tenant to perform administrative functions for a respective tenant application corresponding to the respective application package.
The invention relates to multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically to managing application packages from multiple tenants in a secure and scalable manner. In MEC environments, multiple tenants deploy applications close to end-users, but ensuring proper access control and administrative privileges for each tenant is challenging. The invention addresses this by assigning specific application management privileges to each tenant, allowing them to control their own applications while preventing unauthorized access to others. The method involves receiving application packages from multiple MEC tenants and assigning each tenant a set of privileges. For at least some tenants, these privileges include administrative rights, enabling them to perform administrative functions for their respective applications. These functions may include deploying, updating, or managing their applications without interfering with other tenants' applications. The system ensures that each tenant can only manage their own applications, enhancing security and operational efficiency in shared MEC environments. This approach simplifies tenant management while maintaining strict access control, making it suitable for large-scale MEC deployments with diverse tenants.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the administrative privileges allow the respective MEC tenant to directly operate the MEC system via one or more MEC interfaces of the MEC system.
This invention relates to multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems, specifically addressing the need for secure and efficient administrative control by MEC tenants. The invention provides a method for managing administrative privileges within a MEC system, enabling tenants to directly operate the system through one or more MEC interfaces. The method involves assigning distinct administrative privileges to each MEC tenant, ensuring that each tenant can independently configure, monitor, and control the MEC system without requiring intervention from a central authority. This direct operation capability enhances flexibility and responsiveness, allowing tenants to optimize their services while maintaining system security. The administrative privileges are tailored to the specific needs of each tenant, ensuring that only authorized actions are permitted. The invention also includes mechanisms to enforce these privileges, preventing unauthorized access or modifications. By enabling direct operation through MEC interfaces, the system reduces latency and improves efficiency, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring real-time processing and low-latency communication. The method ensures that tenants can dynamically adjust their configurations in response to changing demands, while the system maintains overall stability and security. This approach is particularly valuable in environments where multiple tenants share the same MEC infrastructure, as it allows for isolated yet efficient management of resources.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the MEC interfaces of the MEC system via which the respective MEC tenant is allowed to directly operate the MEC system include one or more of: an Mm 1 interface between an operations support system (OSS) of the MEC system and an MEC orchestrator of the MEC system; an Mm 2 interface between the OSS of the MEC system and an MEC platform manager of the MEC system; and and Mm 8 interface between the OSS of the MEC system and a user app lifecycle management (LCM) proxy.
A multi-access edge computing (MEC) system provides localized cloud computing resources at the edge of a network, enabling low-latency processing for applications. A challenge in MEC systems is managing access and operations by multiple tenants while ensuring secure and efficient system control. This invention addresses this by defining specific interfaces that allow MEC tenants to directly operate the MEC system. The interfaces include an Mm1 interface between the operations support system (OSS) and the MEC orchestrator, facilitating coordination of system-wide resources and services. An Mm2 interface connects the OSS to the MEC platform manager, enabling tenant-specific configuration and management of MEC platform components. Additionally, an Mm8 interface links the OSS to a user application lifecycle management (LCM) proxy, allowing tenants to manage the deployment, scaling, and termination of their applications. These interfaces ensure that tenants can directly interact with the MEC system while maintaining system integrity and security. The invention enhances operational efficiency by providing structured, standardized access points for tenant interactions with the MEC infrastructure.
19. An MEC system for deployment of tenant applications provided by MEC tenants, the MEC system comprising: a plurality of MEC hosts; and an MEC management server including one or more processors and memory, the one or more processors being configured to: receive, from each of a plurality of MEC tenants, an application package, the application package including application software be installed at one or more of the MEC hosts of the MEC system, the application software corresponding to a tenant application of the tenant applications, assign, to each of the plurality of MEC tenants from which an application package is received, a set of at least one application management privilege; receive application operation requests issued by the MEC tenants, wherein the application operation requests specify operations to be performed for the tenant applications at one or more of the MEC hosts; pre-validate, using the sets of at least one application management privilege assigned to the MEC tenants, the application operation requests so as to detect conflicts on the MEC hosts; and perform tenant application life-cycle management operations in response to the application operation requests, wherein the tenant application life-cycle management operations include one or more of the group consisting of: bootstrapping, termination, migration, and scaling, wherein bootstrapping involves starting a virtual machine (VM) or software container to run an instance of a tenant application, wherein termination involves terminating a VM or software container running an instance of a tenant application, wherein migration involves moving, from one MEC host to another MEC host, one or more VMs or software containers running an instance of a tenant application, and wherein scaling involves increasing or decreasing a quantity of resources assigned to a VM or software container that contains an instance of a tenant application or replicating a VM or software container that contains an instance of a tenant application.
A multi-access edge computing (MEC) system enables the deployment and management of tenant applications provided by multiple MEC tenants. The system includes multiple MEC hosts and a management server with processing and memory capabilities. The management server receives application packages from tenants, each containing software to be installed on one or more MEC hosts. The server assigns application management privileges to each tenant, defining their operational permissions. When tenants issue operation requests—such as bootstrapping, termination, migration, or scaling of applications—the server pre-validates these requests to detect conflicts on the MEC hosts. Bootstrapping involves launching a virtual machine (VM) or container to run a tenant application, while termination stops the VM or container. Migration transfers VMs or containers between hosts, and scaling adjusts resource allocation or replicates instances. The system ensures secure and conflict-free execution of tenant applications across distributed edge computing environments.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the one or more processors collectively provide an MEC Orchestrator, an MEC platform manager, a user app lifecycle management (LCM) proxy, and an MEC broker, wherein the MEC broker is configured to: application package on-boarding, application instance installation on selected MEC hosts, and application provisioning, through configuration of appropriate parameters.
This invention relates to a multi-access edge computing (MEC) system designed to optimize application deployment and management at the network edge. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently onboarding, installing, and provisioning applications in a distributed MEC environment, ensuring low latency and high performance for edge-based services. The system includes a set of interconnected components: an MEC Orchestrator, an MEC platform manager, a user app lifecycle management (LCM) proxy, and an MEC broker. The MEC Orchestrator oversees the overall coordination of MEC resources and services, while the MEC platform manager handles the underlying infrastructure, including virtualization and resource allocation. The LCM proxy facilitates the lifecycle management of user applications, ensuring seamless deployment, scaling, and termination. The MEC broker is a key component responsible for three critical functions: application package onboarding, application instance installation on selected MEC hosts, and application provisioning. During onboarding, the broker processes and validates application packages before deployment. It then installs application instances on specific MEC hosts based on performance and proximity requirements. Finally, the broker provisions applications by configuring necessary parameters, such as network settings and resource allocations, to ensure optimal operation. This structured approach enhances efficiency and reliability in edge computing environments.
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January 5, 2021
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